What would you improve?

Daggy old pegs on a daggy old clothes line. I LOVE IT!
(if you don't know 'daggy' google it, it's a great word)

You said you're using a Nikon Coolpix. Don't apologise for that, they're a great camera. I have one, as well as a Nikon D3200 DSLR, and at times I've taken the same photo using both cameras and been happier with the Coolpix photo.
Welcome to Focussion Rachael, and keep posting!

What do you like?

The composition with the clothes pegs well positioned' and the line of the clothes line leading away into the distance. The pegs are nice & sharp with the background nicely blurred.

What would you improve?

I'm not so sure about the monochrome treatment. I can see the logic in giving a retro feel to the shot, but unfortunately the tonal range in the clothes pegs is similar to that of the background, hence they don't stand out very well. In colour the light woody brown (I presume) of the pegs would probably stand out better against the grass & trees etc of the background.

Second - nicely done monochrome conversion! It's difficult to do, but - I really like your post-processing quite a bit (and since I still shoot/process B&W film on occasion, I tend to be very critical of digital conversions) as it's right on.

I'll also complement you on your composition. Nicely done. The only quibble might be the laundry line post (white) on the right side..? Have you tried a crop which either eliminates that vertical post altogether - or - if you have more in the right of your image - adding it back? While you might change the aspect ratio a bit, either might work depending on what "you want us to see"..

Anyway - looking forward to seeing a while lot more of your work on Focussion - and don't hesitate to jump into any thread nor any conversation, OK?

BTW - what camera do you shoot with?

My best,

- John

Helpful 1 8 April 2015

rachaelmThanks for the great advice, Im using a little Nikon coolpix right now until I can get a better camera.

Helpful 1 8 April 2015

johndunkleNicely done, @rachaelm ...A Nikon Coolpix? Great cameras - and frankly, there isn't anything you use on that which won't positively transition to another camera - and I wouldn't be in a rush to upgrade, rather - use what you have, OK?. As well, I just read your post in my Weekly Challenge thread - and we are looking forward to seeing your post in that thread! There are no bounds in the weekly challenge and no critiques - just simply folks like you posting "what you shoot"...